The smoke has cleared from the San Francisco Giants’ World Series celebration but the good news keeps rolling in. The champions enter the off-season with the other 29 teams looking up at them in the Sporting News’ start-of-the-hot-stove-season Power Rankings. — Stan McNeal

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30. Houston Astros

They’ve already made their splash, unveiling a new look for their move to the AL and by hiring new manager Bo Porter. The rest of the off-season won’t be nearly as newsworthy as the Astros settle in for a long rebuilding process. Pictured: Jose Altuve. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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29. Chicago Cubs

They were one of only two teams to lose 100 games in 2012, and they’re not going for a quick fix. Translation: Expect tickets to be readily available at Wrigley. Pictured: Starlin Castro. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)

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28. Cleveland Indians

And new skipper Terry Francona thought he faced challenges in Boston. The Indians had the AL’s worst record after the break and are likely to take another step back by dealing veterans such as Shin-Soo Choo to focus on the future. Pictured: Asdrubal Cabrera. (Reed Saxon/AP)

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27. Colorado Rockies

The good news is that Troy Tulowitzki (pictured) is expected to be healthy for spring training. Not so good is they lack resources to upgrade their rotation. It needs help, too. The Rockies used 14 starters in 2012 and none had an ERA lower than 4.43. (Lenny Ignelzi/AP)

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26. Minnesota Twins

Joe Mauer (pictured) played in a career-high 147 games and hit .319, and Josh Willingham had a career year with 35 homers. But the Twins aren’t going anywhere until they improve their pitching. (Paul Battaglia/AP)

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25. New York Mets

Having to pay Johan Santana (pictured) and Jason Bay a combined $41.5 million in 2013 will limit the Mets to the free-agent discount bin to fill numerous holes, the most notable being in the bullpen. (John Bazemore/AP)

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24. San Diego Padres

To improve the rotation, the Padres say they will look to the free-agent market. To improve the offense, they are moving in the fences at Petco Park. Pictured: Chase Headley. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP)

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23. Kansas City Royals

If adding Ervin Santana and Chris Volstad is all they do to improve the rotation, a 10th straight losing season is more likely than not. Pictured: Billy Butler. (Paul Sancya/AP)

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22. Boston Red Sox

Overlooked because of all the attention spent on the manager’s situation: This team has a lot of needs, including 1B, LF, SS, back of bullpen and rotation. Pictured: Dustin Pedroia. (Elise Amendola/AP)

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21. Miami Marlins

Making Mike Redmond their manager is the best move they’ve made in the past year. And after last year’s disappointment, he doesn’t have to worry about high expectations. Pictured: Giancarlo Stanton. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

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20. Pittsburgh Pirates

If they could figure out how to finish the season as strong as they start, they’d be fine. Putting their prospects through Navy SEAL-type training, however, is not the solution. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

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19. Seattle Mariners

By trading Ichiro Suzuki in July, the Mariners removed a potentially messy off-season obstacle. Now they can turn their attention to finding some offense. Pictured: Dustin Ackley. (Lenny Ignelzi/AP)

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18. Arizona Diamondbacks

Trading Chris Young should keep Justin Upton (pictured) out of the rumors. But it doesn’t guarantee that the D-backs will keep him. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)

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17. Milwaukee Brewers

Forget about Josh Hamilton. The Brewers need to focus on pitching if they hope to build on their 31-16 finish to 2012. Pictured: Ryan Braun. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP)

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16. Toronto Blue Jays

Will this be the year when Alex Anthopoulos finally makes an impact move? Blue Jays fans have their fingers crossed. Pictured: Jose Bautista. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)

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15. Philadelphia Phillies

How the mighty have fallen. Or gotten old. If Roy Halladay (pictured) and Cliff Lee don’t pitch like it’s 2011, the Phillies will be fortunate to finish .500 again no matter what they do this winter. (Brian Kersey/AP)

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14. Chicago White Sox

Bringing back Jake Peavy (pictured) and Gavin Floyd gives the rotation stability. Re-signing catcher A.J. Pierzynski should be their priority now. Not making him a qualifying offer, however, doesn’t help their chances. (John Smierciak/AP)

No Torii Hunter, no Dan Haren and no Ervin Santana is no problem, as long as they find two starting pitchers. Pictured: Mike Trout. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

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11. Tampa Bay Rays

With no fewer than eight quality starting candidates, the Rays need to deal at least one to improve their offense. But they’re as stubborn about hanging onto their arms as St. Pete’s mayor is about keeping the Rays in his town. Pictured: David Price. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

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10. Baltimore Orioles

Despite their wild success in 2012, these Birds need starters as much as any contender. They can count on Buck Showalter’s magic for only so long. Pictured: Manny Machado. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

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9. New York Yankees

While they need to get younger, they need their old guys even more. And they have a bunch. Can Alex Rodriguez hit more than 18 homers? Will ankle surgery hobble Derek Jeter (pictured)? Can Mariano Rivera return to form? Will Andy Pettitte return for one more year? What about free agent Raul Ibanez? (Tony Dejak/AP)

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8. Texas Rangers

The search for a No. 1 starter will continue whether or not they bring back Hamilton (don’t count on it). Pictured: Yu Darvish. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)

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7. Oakland Athletics

No way on paper should they be ranked this high, but after 2012, there’s little doubt here that Billy Beane will find a way. Pictured: Yoenis Cespedes. (Itsuo Inouye/AP)

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6. Atlanta Braves

With Chipper Jones off the books, the Braves have the resources to pay for an elite free agent. Shane Victorino is not quite elite, but he still would be a good fit in center and at the top of the order. Pictured: Jason Heyward. (Daniel Shirey/AP)

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5. Cincinnati Reds

Still seeking a leadoff hitter, but the biggest decision they face is what to do with Aroldis Chapman (pictured). Granting his wish to make him a starter would leave a huge hole in the closer’s spot. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

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4. St. Louis Cardinals

Second and shortstop need some attention, but they’re strong everywhere else, especially in the department of young power arms. Pictured: Lance Lynn. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

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3. Detroit Tigers

They need a closer, corner outfielder and a starter. But don’t feel sorry for the AL champions as long as they have Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander (pictured) and Prince Fielder. (Carlos Osorio/AP)

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2. Washington Nationals

Adam LaRoche (pictured) was their MVP, but the Nationals would be better if they moved Mike Morse to first and signed a free-agent outfielder. Josh Hamilton anyone? (Richard Lipski/AP)

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1. San Francisco Giants

If they re-sign 2B Marco Scutaro (pictured) and CF Angel Pagan, the World Series champions will be set. Easier said than done, of course. Three starters with $20 million salaries stress the resources. (Mark Humphrey/AP)